AN EXCEEDINGLY RARE MINIATURE CLOISONNE HAT STAND, JIAQING Opinion: This splendid little 'hat stand', the perfect receptacle for the finest and smallest brushes, belongs to a rare group of miniature cloisonné scholar's objects, examples of which only seldomly come up for auction. However, the present lot even stands out from this illustrious group, with its unusually fine enameling, naturalistic subject matter, and the extremely rare hat stand form, including the hallmark apertures.

China, 1796-1820. Of cylindrical form, the turquoise ground finely decorated in bright enamels and gilt wire with butterflies and crickets amid leafy sprays of blossoming peony, chrysanthemum, plum, and hibiscus, all framed by a ruyi-head band below the rim and a leafy lappet border above the foot, the body further pierced with quatrefoil apertures. The interior of turquoise enamel. The rim, foot, and base of gilt bronze.

Provenance: From a noted English private collection, acquired in the 1970s, and thence by descent to the last owner.
Condition: Excellent condition with minor old wear and manufacturing irregularities.

Weight: 50.8 g
Dimensions: Height 5.8 cm

Hat stands made from porcelain first appeared at the beginning of the Jiaqing reign (1796-1820) and were originally conceived as unusually tall, cylindrical vessels only. But commencing later in the Jiaqing period, and through to Daoguang and Tongzhi, these tall vessels were equipped with a number of distinct apertures cut into the body, promoting a flow of air and thus assisting in the removal of odors from the hat, which was placed on top of the vessel. From Guangxu (1875-1908) onwards the apertures slowly disappeared again.

The decoration of butterflies and various flowers offers opportunities for symbolic and auspicious meaning. For example, the combination of a butterfly and plum blossom signifies a quest for blissful love. In Daoism, butterflies represented the freedom of the soul.

Auction result comparison:
Type: Related
Auction: Christie's Hong Kong, 1 June 2011, lot 3874
Price: HKD 150,000 or approx. EUR 24,500 converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writing
Description: A rare miniature cloisonne enamel brushrest, Qianlong period
Expert remark: Note the small size (3.5 cm)

Auction result comparison:
Type: Related
Auction: Christie's Hong Kong, 29 May 2007, lot 1423
Price: HKD 144,000 or approx. EUR 25,500 converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writing
Description: A rare pair of miniature cloisonne enamel scroll weights, Qing dynasty, 18^th century
Expert remark: Note the small size (5.7 cm)


嘉慶掐絲琺瑯花卉紋帽座
中國，1796-1820年。圓柱體。帽傘上近口沿處裝飾如意雲頭紋一周，腹部主題紋飾為蝴蝶紋理、勾連紋、卷草紋、如意雲頭等紋樣。松石綠地，鎏金靚麗，光彩照人。

專家注釋：這件精美絕倫的小“帽架”，屬於稀有的迷你景泰藍文人藏品，很少見。其琺瑯異常精美，傳統題材，極為罕見的帽架形式，包括用來熏香用的小孔。

來源：英國知名私人收藏，上世紀七十年代前購買，保存至今直到家族最後一位主人。
品相：狀況極好，有輕微的磨損和製造瑕疵。

重量：50.8克
尺寸：高5.8厘米

帽座最初為瓷器，最早出現於嘉慶年間（1796-1820年），初期為異常高大的圓柱形器。從嘉慶後期開始，直到道光和同治，開始在帽架上鏤空，内置熏香，從而有助於去除帽子上的氣味。從光緒（1875-1908）開始，這些孔又慢慢消失了。

拍賣結果比較：
形制：相近
拍賣：香港佳士得，2011年6月1日，lot 3874
價格：HKD 150,000（相當於今日EUR 24,500）
描述：乾隆時期小型掐絲琺瑯筆擱
專家評論：請注意尺寸非常小 (3.5厘米) 。

拍賣結果比較：
形制：相近
拍賣：香港佳士得，2007年5月29日，lot 1423
價格：HKD 144,000（相當於今日EUR 25,500）
描述：清代十八世紀一對小型掐絲琺瑯紙鎮
專家評論：請注意尺寸非常小 (5.7厘米)。